In the evening, Bowang City was crowded with people, shouting and neighing of horses everywhere, as noisy as a market.
Xu Shu was summarizing battle reports and counting supplies in the government office. He was very busy alone, so he transferred Mi Zhu and Sun Qian to assist him.
In this battle, Xiahou Dun was severely defeated, more than 30,000 prisoners were taken, and countless weapons, money and food were seized, which have not yet been fully counted.
When they were preparing the reward list, the garrison came to report that someone outside the mansion wanted to see him. The man did not give his name, but only brought in a token.
When Xu Shu took it and looked at it, it was the letter he left in Longzhong. His heart began to beat wildly. He stood up suddenly, but then sat down slowly and ordered someone to invite him in.
Not long after, a figure flashed at the door. Zhuge Liang arrived at the door, wearing a feather fan and a white robe. Seeing Xu Shu busy at his desk, he smiled and walked into the hall.
He went straight to the table, clasped his fists and said, "Congratulations to Yuanzhi for another achievement!"
Xu Shu raised his head and said calmly, "My eldest son, you saved my mother. How dare I not repay you with all my strength? How can it compare to Kong Ming's travels and sightseeing? Isn't it a great pleasure to get married soon?"
Zhuge Liang laughed out loud and said, "After not seeing you for so many years, Yuanzhi is still as charming as ever, and his chivalrous spirit has not diminished in the slightest."
Xu Shu put down his pen and said with emotion: "When you are in the arena, you have no choice."
Zhuge Liang looked around and asked, "Where is General Zuo?"
Xu Shu said, "The general is not in good health. He has been exhausted from the long journey. He also did not sleep last night and has just rested."
Zhuge Liang saw that Xu Shu had no intention of calling for help, so he clasped his fists and said, "I have missed the opportunity to serve you twice, and I am deeply sorry. I have come to apologize. Can Yuanzhi introduce me to you?"
Xu Shu raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhuge Liang: "Do you still consider me your friend?"
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "You and I are close friends, as close as brothers. Why do you say that?"
Xu Shu was displeased and said, "You are a free-spirited person who is not bound by conventional etiquette, but you have come to my house twice and avoided me. This is too disrespectful to me."
Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan and said with a smile, "It's not that I don't want to meet you, but I don't know the general's intention. I'm afraid that if I give you face, both you and I will lose face."
Xu Shu was startled, pointed at Zhuge Liang and laughed: "Kong Ming, Kong Ming, you are still so cautious, you won't release the eagle until you see the rabbit!"
With a smile, the barriers were gone. Xu Shu pulled Zhuge Liang to sit down and prepared wine to entertain him.
Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "In today's world, not only does the king choose his ministers, but the ministers also choose their kings! If you entrust the wrong person, not only will you fail to serve the country and make contributions, but you will also bring harm to the people. How dare I be careless?"
Xu Shu smiled and said, "Your talent is far superior to mine. When the Sleeping Dragon comes out of the mountains, why should we fear Cao Cao or worry about the unrest in the world?"
Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "Yuan Zhi's words, 'Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country', make me feel ashamed!"
Xu Shu shook his head and smiled, "This is not my words, it also came from the eldest son."
"Oh?" Zhuge Liang was surprised. He paused and raised his glass, saying, "Just for your words, let's drink together!"
After Xu Shu finished drinking, he said with emotion: "Yesterday's victory was won, and the credit should go to you, the eldest son. I was just the icing on the cake."
Zhuge Liang was surprised again and asked, "Young Master, do you also know the art of war?"
Xu Shu shook his head and said, "Although the eldest son does not know the art of war, he has great ambitions and extraordinary strategies. According to common sense, the battle last night was just to attack the enemy camp. However, the eldest son burned his boats and sent out his entire army, killing Cao's army and making them flee in disarray. I think Xiahou Dun was not prepared. How could he risk everything in the first battle?"
"This shows that the eldest son is very courageous!" Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan and nodded slightly, "He is decisive in killing and appointing people to positions. With such a talented person in the Liu family, why should we worry about the prosperity of the Han Dynasty?"
Xu Shu frowned and said, "Although Xiahou Dun was defeated, Cao Cao will surely be furious and come with a large army. There are 300,000 soldiers and horses in Runan. With the strength of Jingzhou, it is not enough to sustain a long-term battle."
Zhuge Liang said, "Cao Cao is too powerful to fight against. I came here to discuss the affairs of Jingzhou with you, my lord."
"It's getting late. I'll take you to see him!" Xu Shu stood up and said with a smile, "Kong Ming, you don't know that since Cai Mao was eliminated, the eldest son has been talking about Crouching Dragon and Phoenix all day long. If he knew that you are here, he would be overjoyed."
The two men went to the back hall and saw that the bedroom door was still closed. Xu Shu dismissed the defenders and was about to wake up Liu Qi.
Zhuge Liang tried to stop him, saying, "My Lord, you have come to my house twice. I was disrespectful at first. Why not wait for a while?"
"There is a celebration banquet tonight. The time has come. It's time to wake him up."
Xu Shu signaled Zhuge Liang that there was no need to be polite, and gently pushed the door open. He saw Liu Qi half-lying on the bed, having already woken up. He was stunned for a moment and asked, "General, haven't you rested yet?"
"How can I sleep soundly when the war is imminent?" Liu Qi stretched himself lazily and said with emotion: "Who will wake up first from the dream? I know it myself.
I haven't slept enough in the courtroom, and the sun is setting outside the window."
Xu Shu was startled, then he clapped his hands and laughed, "General, your words are quite like the style of Crouching Dragon."
Zhuge Liang paused slightly with his feather fan at the door, his eyes flickering. Liu Qi's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, which was in line with the artistic conception of the thatched cottage. Could it be that he really became a saint
Liu Qi sighed, "Wolong is a hermit, carefree and carefree, but I have a heavy responsibility on my shoulders and dare not say anything. How can I compare with him?"
Xu Shu smiled and said, "Today we have a distinguished guest coming, who will surely help relieve the general's worries."
"Distinguished guest?" Liu Qi frowned slightly, then suddenly lifted the quilt and said in surprise, "Could it be that Mr. Wolong has arrived? Please come and meet him."
Xu Shu smiled and said, "Don't worry, General. Kong Ming is right here."
"Where is the person?" Liu Qi ran out of the door barefoot and saw a tall man standing there with a graceful figure. He was indeed an extraordinary person. His eyes widened immediately.
Zhuge Liang's eyes flickered, and he bowed and said, "I, the Nanyang barbarian Zhuge Liang, come to apologize for my crime. I hope the general will forgive me!"
"Sir, you are here!" Liu Qi held onto Zhuge Liang and said excitedly, "I have been waiting to see you for a long time. Now I have the honor to see you. I have no regrets in my life. Please come in quickly."
Xu Shu came over and said with a smile: "General, please be patient. I will accompany Kong Ming to the front hall to wait. The celebration banquet will be ready soon. Please change your clothes and come back."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Liu Qi looked down at himself and saw that he was still barefoot and in his pajamas. He clasped his fists and said, "I am sorry for being rude, sir. I made you laugh."
Zhuge Liang was quite moved. He said goodbye to Xu Shu and left. Liu Qi immediately asked someone to wash and change clothes.
The guard who was guarding the gate just now came in with a basin of water and a towel. Liu Qi patted him on the shoulder and praised him, "Liu Neng, well done!"
The personal soldier scratched his head and laughed, "My father told me to be more careful and attentive when doing things, and to always consider the young master. I knew that the young master had been missing Mr. Wolong for a long time, so I dared to wake him up."
This personal soldier was none other than Liu Neng, the son of the steward Liu Fu. Liu Fu was too old to travel far, so he asked his son to follow him around. He was a smart and capable man, but it was his name that always made Liu Qi feel a little out of place.
Liu Qi wiped his face and warned, "Don't tell anyone what happened just now."
Liu Neng bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir. I won't even tell my father about this."
Just now Liu Neng came to report the news and Liu Qi jumped out of bed with joy. If Xu Shu hadn't entertained Zhuge Liang for a while, it would have been difficult for him to act with sleepy eyes.
In order to maintain the mystery and win Zhuge Liang's heart, he first plagiarized a poem from him and then greeted him barefoot. Isn't this sincerity enough